Railay is rarely known among Thai people, unlike foreign tourists. Railay was originally recognized as a little village of fishermen on the mainland.  Railay is not on an island. Due to its surroundings by limestone cliffs, people feel alone from prosperity of the town and think of living on an island. How to get there: only by long-tail boats from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao or Krabi Town, if you come from Krabi. By a cruise, if you travel from Koh Phi Phi. Conservative tourists want to preserve this place as it is. So far there is no road access to Railay. Only by boat, you can get there from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao (the shell fossil). It depends the monsoon season during Mid of May till late Oct every year.

Lastly I went here on 17 Apr 08 to survey further any new resorts or changes, after the previous time in Apr 06. A lot of foreign tourists are walking along the beach, sun-bathing, taking a trip. All rooms have been fully booked now and then. Tsunami did not negatively affect here much. Contrarily due to limited accommodation in Koh Phi Phi (after Tsunami), tourists chose Railay as their destination instead.

Why had I been here many times?  What do I love here?: we have to talk a lot more. The first time I came here for 18 years ago. Thinking about the time before building Rayavadee and the Beach movie, so then it is my first time here.

Things in Railay have not much changed except accommodation. The resorts have expanded rapidly in terms of numbers of bungalows. Luckily, attractions are not changed such as lagoon, nice view point on the hill top, caves, and the beaches. Activities become more interesting like sea canoeing, rock climbing, trekking, etc. Knowing that most of the resorts are owned by two big families: Ngafa and Kayankarn. Both are well known in Aonang and Railay. They and their cousins should be more wealthy when they built more properties in Aonang. However, we have to say "Thank you" to them. Under a local club "Koh Rak Railay" or "คนรักไร่เลย์" means Railay Lovers, the group still preserve this land and marine environment unchanged. During end of Apr, they arrange a competition of International Rock Climbing every year. This year 2011 is held as well.